Was a Minister, Free Mason, Leon County Commissioner, county Justice of the Peace, and a Tallahassee city councilman -- One of the few blacks to serve in public officer during Reconstruction in Leon County. Some records suggest he was the Masonic Grand Master of Florida, possibly in 1871.
From minutes of Tallahassee City Council, 22-May-1872 (transcribed by Sarah Patterson, FSU Master's Student)
"Whereas it is appointed unto all men once to die and after death a judgment we the members of the City Council of Tallahassee deem it proper to give an expression of our respect and esteem to the memory of Jonas W. Toer a member of this City Council who departed this life yesterday the 21st inst.
Resolved that we will ever respect the memory of Jonas W. Toer because of his correct life his manly virtues and his consistent endeavor to make the world better and making happier by both his example and precept and because his life and death furnishes a suggestive lesson to all classes of our citizens. Born a slave, deprived of many advantages incident to a free state of society, without money, without education, his sustenance the bitter bread and water of affliction from birth, yet by virtue of his innate manhood bursting through all the embarrassments of an adverse fate, the iron prejudiced of caste, the depressing power of poverty and ignorance, the entice absence of cultivated association, this man today and forever takes his place among those benefactors of the human race who lived for the benefit of mankind, the advancement and sustenance of rational liberty. As a public officer his integrity of purpose was beyond suspicion, his stern impartial administration of law in this county, his judicious and prudent advice to both colored and white people during times of excitement to cultivate peace, and a mutual exercise of discretion, were of the most admirable character and makes this entire county his debtor.
As a member of the temperance reform his services were invaluable. As a member of the Baptist Church his influence was of a high order and his place cannot be readily filled. As a Free Mason, he did much to benefit mankind and promote the interests of the order in a word it may be said of this man in truth he is entitled to the reward of the Just.
Resolved. That this council will attend his burial in a body this day and that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days."
From minutes of Tallahassee City Council, 22-May-1872 (transcribed by Sarah Patterson, FSU Master's Student)
"Whereas it is appointed unto all men once to die and after death a judgment we the members of the City Council of Tallahassee deem it proper to give an expression of our respect and esteem to the memory of Jonas W. Toer a member of this City Council who departed this life yesterday the 21st inst.
Resolved that we will ever respect the memory of Jonas W. Toer because of his correct life his manly virtues and his consistent endeavor to make the world better and making happier by both his example and precept and because his life and death furnishes a suggestive lesson to all classes of our citizens. Born a slave, deprived of many advantages incident to a free state of society, without money, without education, his sustenance the bitter bread and water of affliction from birth, yet by virtue of his innate manhood bursting through all the embarrassments of an adverse fate, the iron prejudiced of caste, the depressing power of poverty and ignorance, the entice absence of cultivated association, this man today and forever takes his place among those benefactors of the human race who lived for the benefit of mankind, the advancement and sustenance of rational liberty. As a public officer his integrity of purpose was beyond suspicion, his stern impartial administration of law in this county, his judicious and prudent advice to both colored and white people during times of excitement to cultivate peace, and a mutual exercise of discretion, were of the most admirable character and makes this entire county his debtor.
As a member of the temperance reform his services were invaluable. As a member of the Baptist Church his influence was of a high order and his place cannot be readily filled. As a Free Mason, he did much to benefit mankind and promote the interests of the order in a word it may be said of this man in truth he is entitled to the reward of the Just.
Resolved. That this council will attend his burial in a body this day and that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days."
Was a Minister, Free Mason, Leon County Commissioner, county Justice of the Peace, and a Tallahassee city councilman -- One of the few blacks to serve in public officer during Reconstruction in Leon County. Some records suggest he was the Masonic Grand Master of Florida, possibly in 1871.
From minutes of Tallahassee City Council, 22-May-1872 (transcribed by Sarah Patterson, FSU Master's Student)
"Whereas it is appointed unto all men once to die and after death a judgment we the members of the City Council of Tallahassee deem it proper to give an expression of our respect and esteem to the memory of Jonas W. Toer a member of this City Council who departed this life yesterday the 21st inst.
Resolved that we will ever respect the memory of Jonas W. Toer because of his correct life his manly virtues and his consistent endeavor to make the world better and making happier by both his example and precept and because his life and death furnishes a suggestive lesson to all classes of our citizens. Born a slave, deprived of many advantages incident to a free state of society, without money, without education, his sustenance the bitter bread and water of affliction from birth, yet by virtue of his innate manhood bursting through all the embarrassments of an adverse fate, the iron prejudiced of caste, the depressing power of poverty and ignorance, the entice absence of cultivated association, this man today and forever takes his place among those benefactors of the human race who lived for the benefit of mankind, the advancement and sustenance of rational liberty. As a public officer his integrity of purpose was beyond suspicion, his stern impartial administration of law in this county, his judicious and prudent advice to both colored and white people during times of excitement to cultivate peace, and a mutual exercise of discretion, were of the most admirable character and makes this entire county his debtor.
As a member of the temperance reform his services were invaluable. As a member of the Baptist Church his influence was of a high order and his place cannot be readily filled. As a Free Mason, he did much to benefit mankind and promote the interests of the order in a word it may be said of this man in truth he is entitled to the reward of the Just.
Resolved. That this council will attend his burial in a body this day and that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days."
From minutes of Tallahassee City Council, 22-May-1872 (transcribed by Sarah Patterson, FSU Master's Student)
"Whereas it is appointed unto all men once to die and after death a judgment we the members of the City Council of Tallahassee deem it proper to give an expression of our respect and esteem to the memory of Jonas W. Toer a member of this City Council who departed this life yesterday the 21st inst.
Resolved that we will ever respect the memory of Jonas W. Toer because of his correct life his manly virtues and his consistent endeavor to make the world better and making happier by both his example and precept and because his life and death furnishes a suggestive lesson to all classes of our citizens. Born a slave, deprived of many advantages incident to a free state of society, without money, without education, his sustenance the bitter bread and water of affliction from birth, yet by virtue of his innate manhood bursting through all the embarrassments of an adverse fate, the iron prejudiced of caste, the depressing power of poverty and ignorance, the entice absence of cultivated association, this man today and forever takes his place among those benefactors of the human race who lived for the benefit of mankind, the advancement and sustenance of rational liberty. As a public officer his integrity of purpose was beyond suspicion, his stern impartial administration of law in this county, his judicious and prudent advice to both colored and white people during times of excitement to cultivate peace, and a mutual exercise of discretion, were of the most admirable character and makes this entire county his debtor.
As a member of the temperance reform his services were invaluable. As a member of the Baptist Church his influence was of a high order and his place cannot be readily filled. As a Free Mason, he did much to benefit mankind and promote the interests of the order in a word it may be said of this man in truth he is entitled to the reward of the Just.
Resolved. That this council will attend his burial in a body this day and that the council chamber be draped in mourning for thirty days."
Gravesite Details
Believed to be buried in unmarked grave in Old City Cemetery, as the City Council adjourned at 4pm on 22-May-1872 to attend his funeral. Therefore, the place of burial must have been close by the council meeting room.
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